PEORIA — Ron Wolfgang appears torn between two cities. But in deciding whether Peoria should be the docking site for a World War II-era naval vessel, Wolfgang doesn’t want to feel like a fool.

“It comes down to what’s best for the ship,” the Normal resident, a member of the LST 325 board of directors, said Tuesday night. “That is something the board is going to have to say when we get together: Forget your personal interests and let’s do what’s best for the ship.

“We’re trying to take emotion out of it.”

Emotions were in motion during a public forum at the Gateway Building. Assistant City Manager Chris Setti solicited opinions about whether Peoria should try to wrest the tank landing ship from Evansville, Ind., its current port.

There was some division about where in the Illinois River to dock the ship, but the consensus seemed to favor Peoria’s pursuit. So did about 70 percent of almost 300 survey forms Setti’s office has received, he said.

“It would mean a lot,” said Scott Corsaut, commander of the American Legion post in Peoria Heights. “Just a way to honor the veterans, but something that would be close and accessible for people from central Illinois or even Chicago or St. Louis to come here and enjoy a piece of history.”

In 1944, the LST 325 participated in the D-Day invasion of France. The 328-foot ship is docked in a remote area of Evansville, which is among the reasons Wolfgang and his peers are considering Peoria.

Initial costs for dock construction and other items would be about $1.5 million, according to Setti. The City Council is expected to render its decision June 24.

Setti’s presentation repeated one he made hours earlier in front of the Downtown Advisory Commission. The group took no formal action but appeared to favor a move.

A potential LST docking site adjacent to the former River Station restaurant is near the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center. Mark Misselhorn, the commission chairman, suggested the ship might block river views if it’s parked there.

“That’s a prime spot,” he said. “I feel it’s very important to have that open.”

Misselhorn appeared to prefer an alternative location Setti proposed, near the RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center. Some forum attendees concurred.

“For the 328 feet of length that is the LST, you will not be able to see the water,” he said. “You will not be able to see East Peoria. But you will be able to see a ship, and that’s pretty great, as far as I’m concerned.”

Page 2 of 2 - As far as Katy Shackelford is concerned, the LST should stay in Evansville.

The Peoria resident and Evansville-area native said those who live in that Ohio River city feel an emotional attachment to the LST. More than 150 of those ships were built there.

“If this were in Evansville, this room would be filled to the brim,” said Shackelford, one of about 30 forum attendees. “It’s a part of Evansville’s history.”

Wolfgang realizes that. But he also appears to realize the future of the LST is important.

“I think there’s more advantages in going to Peoria than to Evansville, but yet there’s some disadvantages,” Wolfgang said. “It’s going to be a hard decision for me to make.”

Nick Vlahos can be reached at 686-3285 or nvlahos@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @VlahosNick.